hope ⁽¹²³⁾

Joel 2:18–32, Acts 2:29–40,2 Peter 1:16–21 Joel is an interesting book in that there are no definitive elements to place. There are many events and practices that put it within a few centuries, but that the prophet does not define himself, nor does he seem…

Psalm 104, Ezekiel 18:1-32, John 9:1–11 Original sin is the corruption of the God-given original nature of all the offspring of Adam. This corrupted base has an aversion to God, has no spiritual life, and is inclined to evil. Until the Holy Spirit fully cleanses…

Psalm 127, Ruth 4:9–17, Hebrews 3:1–6 If we were to judge life by Psalm 127, it would seem that God does everything, yet we know that it isn’t the case. “Unless God builds the house” is more along the lines of God building up or…

Jeremiah 29:4–19, Jeremiah 40:1–6, Jeremiah 45:1–5 Jeremiah 29:12 is an oft-quoted verse: “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” That verse is very comforting, and…

Acts 10:9–35, Acts 15:5–34, Romans 14:13-23 Rules are everywhere, aren’t they? Rules are a good thing. Often rules give us the freedom to act for we have a pretty good idea what others will do (assuming they know the rules). This is true in examples…